WATER HYACINTH
Pontederia crassipes (formerly Eichhornia crassipes)

Water hyacinth is a free-floating plant that occurs sporadically throughout the state with the major concentrations in the coastal plain because of the more moderate climate. It has large showy purple flowers. The leaves are leathery and somewhat egg shaped with parallel veins. The petioles (stalk of the leaf) are spongy and mostly inflated with water. This is one of the most common water garden plants.

Never purchase, propagate, possess, distribute, or sell this plant!  It is against the Law!

Control:

South Carolina Law requires individuals to possess a Commercial Pesticide Applicators License in Category 5, Aquatic Pest Control, before they apply aquatic herbicides if the work is done for compensation on the property of another. A license is also required, regardless of ownership, if the application is made to an area where public access to the treated site is expected. Private swimming lakes, where the public would exposed to the treated waters, are the most obvious example of the latter requirement. On all public facilities, such as golf courses, driving ranges, subdivisions, condominium/apartment complexes and mobile home parks, applicators are required to possess a Category 5 License to apply aquatic pesticides.